Marseille go level on top with PSG

November 27, 2012 - 6:56:12 am

PARIS: Marseille pulled level with arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1 yesterday following a 1-0 victory at home to 10-man Lille.

Florent Balmont was controversially dismissed for Lille in first-half stoppage time, while Jordan Ayew struck a minute after the restart as Marseille, who handed Englishman Joey Barton a first league start, won for the first time in five matches.

“It’s a relief, the match is worth six points because it gives the team as well as myself confidence again,” the goalscoring Ayew told OMtv after the match.

“Like any striker, I always want to score. We didn’t have any success in recent times, but this time things went our way and I’m happy. The whole team put in a great performance and if we continue to work for each other, we can do great things.”

Victory for Elie Baup’s side moved Marseille onto 26 points, alongside PSG, while Lille are in ninth spot. AFP